Bakersfield Motocross Track Opens

Track Opens In Honor Of Famous Racer Killed By Drunken Driver

9:37 AM, Dec 16, 2008

For decades, Bakersfield has gone without a motocross race track for local riders. That is no longer the case thanks to one east Bakersfield man's tribute to his son who was killed by a drunken driver. What started as a tribute to his son has evolved into a dream for the community and after a year in the making, Ron Pierce's motocross track is opening this weekend.

"I'm excited. Its a great track everyone seems to like it." said Pierce.

The racetrack is dedicated to his son Adam. Adam was a famous motocross racer and in the prime of his career when he was killed by a drunken driver six years ago.

Adam left behind a son who has since been following in his footsteps. "He was riding around in my yard and said 'Grandpa build me some grandstands so people can see me ride. And we did for him and other kids who haven't had a motocross track to ride in for 25 years." said Pierce.

So Pierce started building the track in his front yard but had to stop after neighbors complained it would devalue surrounding land. Now a year later, the county has allowed the track to open.

Motocross Racer Ron Abler, said "It's really important. We've been waiting for this track for a long time. I've been riding for seven years and never really had a track. We always had to travel south or north a minimum hour to get to the nearest track."

The racetrack is nearly a mile and a half long with plenty of jumps and corners. It's designed for riders of all ages and offers a place for kids to learn motocross racing; a place Andy Pierce said his brother Adam always dreamt of.

"This is something he always wanted to do. What he was doing before he passed away he was buying land to start a school to teach kids to ride. He'd be proud of us, this is what he wanted to do." he said.

The county has allowed the Pierce's to hold four races. The first one is Sunday and is open to the public. The address is 15658 Breckinridge Road. Gate opens at 6:30 a.m. with practice at 8:30 a.m. and races at 10 a.m. The other three races will be Jan. 11, Feb. 8, and March 8.